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Dog registration & renewals

Changes to dog registration 2017/18

Council has introduced two new initiatives to make registering your dog easier.

Lifetime tags

Council has introduced lifetime tags for registered dogs. This means the registration tag you receive this year will remain with your dog for the life of your pet. You will continue to pay your registration fee annually as normal.

Council issues more than 30,000 tags each year so lifetime registration ensures these tags don't end up in landfill.

If you lose your registration tag you can contact Council by phone on 1300 69 22 47 or email Animal_Management@cairns.qld.gov.au to arrange a replacement. There is no charge for replacing your tag.

Initial rego fee discount for entire dogs

All first-time dog registrations will be charged at the desexed dog fee of $41. This gives dog owners until the next renewal period before incurring an entire dog fee.

This initiative addresses a shortfall in the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 that requires puppies to be registered by 12 weeks, before the age that they can be desexed.

Dog registration and microchipping is compulsory throughout Queensland. All dogs must be registered with Council from 12 weeks of age and you are required to register your dog with Council within 14 days of moving into the Cairns region. Registration is for 12 months and we will send you a reminder notice when your registration is set to expire.

There is a $261 fine for not registering your dog.

Registration is not only a requirement under Queensland Law it is a key component of responsible dog ownership.

Registering your dog makes it much easier for Council to reunite you with your pet if it is found outside your property and fees from dog rego fund and improve facilities such as dog off-leash areas and Council's pound, as well as following up complaints and animal-related matters.

Council has also introduced a range of free activities for pet owners such as Communtiy Dog Walks, workshops on address problem behaviour and the annual Pets in the Park day.

Lifetime tags

Council has lifetime tags for registered dogs. This means the registration tag you receive this year will remain with your dog for the life of your pet. You will continue to pay your registration fee annually as normal. Council issues more than 30,000 tags each year so lifetime registration ensures these tags don't end up in landfill.

If you lose your registration tag you can contact Council by phone on 1300 69 22 47 or email Animal_Management@cairns.qld.gov.au to arrange a replacement. There is no charge for replacing your tag.

* NOTE: This online registration form cannot be used for Lifetime Aged Pensioner, farm dog or registered security dog as conditions apply. For these registration types, download the dog registration form ( PDF, 0.33 MB ) and lodge the completed form in person at any of Council's Customer Service Centres together with the required documentation.

Renew my dog registration:

Note: Council now issues lifetime tags. Renewal notices will be sent each year but you will not receive a new tag or registration certificate on renewal. Please continue to use your green lifetime tag for the life of your animal. Tags will only be replaced on request.

Under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, if you own an American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasilerio (known as Brazilian Mastiff), Japanese Tosa or Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario) you must apply to Council for a permit to keep a Restricted Dog.

$468.00

Regulated dog - Declared Dangerous

As declared by Council

$468.00

Regulated dog - Declared Menacing

As declared by Council

$468.00

Farm dog

Maximum of 4 dogs. Dog kept as Farm dog.**Farm must be rated as Rural Productive**

$9.00

Cat - entire / desexed

Must be microchipped

No fee

*Pensioner means that you hold a Centrelink Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card but you are not 65 years or older.

**Aged pensioner means that you are 65 or older and hold a Centrelink Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card. Your dogs must also be microchipped and desexed to be eligible for your Free Dog Registration. Aged pensioners must renew their dog registration every three (3) years.